Signature move
A signature move (Japanese: 専用技 exclusive move) is a move that can normally only be learned by a single Pokémon, evolutionary family, or Legendary group within a given generation.
Starting in Pokémon Sword and Shield, most Pokémon not in the regional Pokédex are unusable, causing some Pokémon to apparently gain or lose their signature moves based on availability, even if that move would otherwise be non-exclusive (for example, Accelgor in Pokémon Sword and Shield is the only Pokémon that can learn Water Shuriken since Greninja cannot be transferred into the games).
Most signature moves are learned by leveling up. Despite being signature moves of a particular species, other Pokémon can still sometimes learn the move through other means. Some signature moves can also be inherited via breeding or are known by certain gift or event Pokémon. Additionally, Smeargle can learn most signature moves via its own signature move, Sketch.
List of Pokémon and their signature moves
Z-Moves
G-Max Moves
Shadow moves
| # | Pokémon | Move | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0144 | 
|
Articuno | Shadow Chill |
| 0145 | 
|
Zapdos | Shadow Bolt |
| 0146 | 
|
Moltres | Shadow Fire |
| 0249 | 
|
Shadow Lugia |
Shadow Blast |
Similar examples
Teachable signature moves
The following are moves that can be learned only by a single Pokémon or evolutionary line via level up, but can be also taught to other Pokémon by TMs, HMs, or Move Tutors.
Species-specific moves
The following is a list of moves that are specifically programmed for these Pokémon.
Other moves that work specifically for particular species that are not listed here are:
- Moves that are required for a Pokémon to evolve, a mechanic introduced in Generation IV.
- Evolution moves that a Pokémon will try to learn after evolving into another species, regardless of its level, starting in Generation VII.
- Moves that are required for a Pokémon to know so they could be upgraded into signature Z-Moves.
Similarly, Mega Gengar (except in Generation VI), Diglett, Dugtrio, Sandygast, and Palossand cannot be affected by the move Telekinesis, but a Pokémon that is transformed into one of these Pokémon can be affected.
| # | Pokémon | Move | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0025 |  |
Cosplay Pikachu |
Thunder Shock | This move replaces Cosplay Pikachu's other form's special move while changing into this form if it had no other moves. |
 |
Pikachu Rock Star |
Meteor Mash | Cosplay Pikachu will try to learn this move along with changing into this form. | |
 |
Pikachu Belle |
Icicle Crash | Cosplay Pikachu will try to learn this move along with changing into this form. | |
 |
Pikachu Pop Star |
Draining Kiss | Cosplay Pikachu will try to learn this move along with changing into this form. | |
 |
Pikachu Ph. D |
Electric Terrain | Cosplay Pikachu will try to learn this move along with changing into this form. | |
 |
Pikachu Libre |
Flying Press | Cosplay Pikachu will try to learn this move along with changing into this form. | |
| 0128 | 
|
Tauros | Raging Bull | If the user is Paldean Tauros, the move's type changes depending on its form. Combat Breed's Raging Bull is Fighting-type, Blaze Breed's Raging Bull is Fire-type, and Aqua Breed's Raging Bull is Water-type. If used by a Pokémon other than Paldean Tauros, including Kantonian Tauros, who can also learn the move, the move is Normal-type. |
|
Tauros Paldean Form Combat Breed | |||
|
Tauros Paldean Form Blaze Breed | |||
|
|
Tauros Paldean Form Aqua Breed | |||
| 0172 |  |
Pichu | Volt Tackle | Pichu will hatch with that move if its parent was holding Light Ball in the Day Care or the Nursery. |
| 0384 |  |
Rayquaza | Dragon Ascent | Rayquaza can Mega Evolve into Mega Rayquaza if it knows this move, but only if it is not holding a Z-Crystal. |
| 0479 |  |
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